Most of us see our pastor on Sunday morning and perhaps a few times during the week. We hear their sermons, see them lead events such as funerals and weddings, and bow our heads when they pray at potlucks. We may seek them out for advice or pastoral care at various points in our lives. But have you ever wondered what a pastor’s wife thinks of her pastor?
In honor of Pastor Appreciation Month, Village Missionary Stephanie Van Gorden wrote this message about her pastor.
My Husband is My Pastor
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Some churches go all out to express their appreciation to their pastor; other churches haven’t even heard about this. Will you indulge me for a moment while I appreciate my pastor?
Matt has been my husband only a little bit longer than he’s been my pastor. When he first came home to tell me it was time to go into full-time vocational ministry, I cried. I knew it would be hard. I knew he’d face complaints, criticism, and disappointment. I knew God was sufficient for those things, but I didn’t know how beautifully God would shine through Matt’s ministry of preaching the Word and loving the people.
Matt emphasizes to our church family that we never move beyond the gospel, only further into it. That God is great and glorious and worthy of all our praise. That the gospel call to be the Church is a high and holy call. It’s hard but worth giving one’s life to.
He meets with individuals who are suffering, wondering, doubting, and hurting. He leads them to their Good Shepherd, Jesus. With wisdom and discernment, my pastor listens carefully and lays out the goodness of God in His Word.
He helps with a ministry to young people in the community. He works with a community service organization. He does this as a representative of our church, yes, but mostly as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.
An Example to His Church and Family
Matt has faced all those things I feared. Since he’s a human being, they’ve gotten to him sometimes, but I have a front-row seat to see him lean into Jesus and put his trust, his worth, and his hope in the Lord over and over again. He chooses Jesus, not perfectly, but eventually, every time. He serves us all even when he’s tired. Our children have a great daddy and a wonderful example of a man who lifts high the name of Jesus as the only rock we can cling to.
God is glorified in Matt’s commitment to Him.
When we first started in full-time ministry, I wondered what it would be like to sit under the preaching of the man whose laundry I washed. Now I can say that it is one of the great privileges of my life.
Do you appreciate your pastor? You can be certain he doesn’t get “too much” encouragement. Would you encourage him (and his family) this month? It can be as simple as a few heartfelt words in a card. Your words will mean more than you know.
Stephanie and Matt Van Gorden joined Village Missions in 2005. They have been serving in Hartland Center, northern Ohio, since 2019. They previously served in Pennsylvania and Colorado. Stephanie is a talented pianist. She and Matt often lead worship at the VM staff conference. Their two children also have front-row seats to their father’s pastoral ministry.
